Conocarpus saplings, which were widely used to enhance greenery in urban areas due to its high growth rate were banned by the Telangana government after the officials came to know the negative consequences of the plants that affects human health.
However, despite the State government banning it, these alien species were not removed at field level due to various reasons. According to the Telangana Forest department and the GHMC officials, there is no official data on how many Conocarpus trees were removed and how many are still present across the city following the ban.
Speaking to the Pioneer correspondent, Mahesh Talari, an environmentalist said, “Telangana government banned Conocarpus in 2022. But it’s too late. Earlier, the authorities used these alien species massively to enhance greenery especially in urban areas. Lakhs of Conocarpus saplings were grown across the city.
However, the pollen grains of Conocarpus cause various respiratory issues to humans. So, the government banned these species especially in HMDA and GHMC municipalities with real estate ventures. But at the field level, the species were not removed except in certain areas in the city. From now onwards, one should try to improve biodiversity with native saplings.”
He also filed an RTI on prohibition orders issued by the Telangana Forest department on Conocarpus trees. As per the RTI, the forest department is not planting Conocarpus plants in forest areas and hence the issue of prohibition orders on Conocarpus does not arise.
Following the announcement of ban of Conocarpus trees in Andhra Pradesh (AP), AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalayan said, “ Earlier, I had grown these Conocarpus trees at my farmhouse but after coming across its negative consequences on human health, I had removed them. Though they grow faster and look beautiful, they are very dangerous.”
Vinay Vangala, a social worker said, “Despite the Telangana government banning Conocarpus trees, these saplings were not removed at field level. There are two main reasons, like the government needs more manpower to remove the plants and needs more plots to grow more saplings belonging to native species. If any citizen or public comes across Conocarpus trees in the surroundings, I request them to report about it urgently to the local administration.”
